The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-05-05
The Tale of a Telegram.
BY KATE PUTNAM osGoOD.

Maud Estabrook had just turned to
retrace her steps up the avenue, when,
glancng around. she saw a young man
emerge from the shadow OF one of the
great willows that guarded the gate.
As he pulled off his hat with 4 low bow.
the sunlight brought out the FURNISH
ing black of his close-cut hair, and
threw into stronger relief his bronzed.
handsome face, to which slight scar
on one cheek gave touch of the ro-
mantle and picturesque. So thought
Maud, after her brief, comprehensive
survey.
Il beg your pardon" said the stran-
ger, tanning himself with his straw hat
as no spoke. "but can you. tell me
if Mr.. Estabrook is hcre?"
oh" thought Maud, zone of Toms
friends" Then aloud. "Yes-that is,
he lives here. but he ish't at home to-
day."
As the newcomer stood irresolute.
Maud gave him another quick look.
which summed up his whole appear
ance, from his six feet of statue and the
light pedestrian garb that set it of, to
the knapsack hanging over his Shout
ders: Then she said hcsitatingly: "He
may be back tonight, perhaps. Wont
you come up to the house and rest? 1t
is so warm! And my mother will be
glad to see any friend of Toms.
The young man returned her inquir-
ing glance as he answercred, also with
some hesitation: Thanks. 1t is very
warm. certainly / should be delight
cd to pay my respects to-Mrs. Esta-
brook, il she will permit me.
With that he put on his hat again.
and the two walked along together
under the poisoning acacia trees,
while he introduced himself rs Marston
Folliott, Just now pedestrianizing in
that region. To which she responded
with the information that she was
Toms sister"
In this way they reached the house,
where Mrs. Estabrook was discovered
in the cool north parlor. She received
her son friend very Hospitality. inviting
him TO await Toms return, which was
expected by the next morning at
latest.
Mr.. Folliotts manner was again
hesitating. as he half glanced toward
Maud. Il really ought not to take adj
vantage" he began.
But Mrs. Estabrook. a nervous, ex-
citable woman, given to starts and
broken sentences, interrupted him;
"No, MOI Pray don't say so. Really,
il would relieve my mind, now that my
son is away; and of course Peter must
choose this very time Maud, Peter
hasn't come back? No, not a man on
the place. and this is such a solitary
neig hborhood! Burglars and tramps
would have us quite at their mercy"
So the young man accepted the urgent
invitation, and the afternoon wore
away pleasantly, with music and con-
versation, and strolling about the
grounds.
1t was almost tea-time. The two
ladies with their guest were sitting on
the breezy piazza when a telegraph
messenger came up the steps, delivered
his vellow-covered missive and was of
again like n shot out of sight.
From Tom, probably" tsaid Mrs.
Estabrook. Mr.. Folliott, you will
excuse mep'
She broke open the envelope, while
the conversation between the two
young people went on. But it was sud-
denly interrupted by an inarticulate
sound from Mrs. Estabrook, and look
ing around they saw her VIII te and
trembling. Maud ran to her mother,
and put her arms about her.
4 hope you have received no bad
news" began Mr.. Folllott. But as he
advanced Mrs. Estabrook waved him
back. with poor attempt at a smile.
''Oh no. not bad at all-only a little
"A Electromagnetic" Then she con-
veyed silent summons to Maud's anx.
ious eve. adding. with the same forced
lightness. IF you will excuse our leav-
ing YOU alone for a moment, MIR. Fol
lott. | have a little household matter
10 arrange with my daughter. That i
all. indeed. 1t is only for moment
only moment. assure YOU
As they Withdrew she se'lulously re
turned Mr.. Follott's bow. all the while
preserving a set smile strangely at va
rance with her pale face. But nj
sooner had they entered the house thar
il dropped away. as she turned TO hel
daughter and said. in hollow whisper
MAUD. that man is a burglari'
M.,,d efarad AT this Startling an